Popular Derbyshire men died in 130mph motorbike crash horror

Michael Broomhead

Two popular young men who died in a motorbike crash on a notorious road were travelling at up to 130mph, an inquest heard.

Daniel Green, 23, and his pillion passenger, Jamie Lynch, 22, lost their lives after the horror smash on the A632 Slack Hill road, near Matlock.

The pair – who had just overtaken their friend on another motorbike – were thrown into a tree after the CBR600RR motorbike hit a curb. They died instantly of “catastrophic” injuries.

Police investigations revealed the Honda sportsbike they were riding was travelling at up to 130mph in the 60mph zone.

After their deaths, friends and family paid tribute to landscape gardener Mr Green, of George Street, North Wingfield – whose first child was born three days after he died – and foundry worker Mr Lynch, from Chesterfield Avenue, New Whittington.

Speaking during Tuesday’s inquest at Chesterfield coroners’ court, friend Kimberly Wasley told how she and the pair attended a motorbike meet in Nottingham on May 14. Ms Wasley was travelling back to Chesterfield, with Mr Green and Mr Lynch following behind, at about 11.35pm. She told the court: “We were coming down Slack Hill and they overtook me at the bottom at quite some speed. They came in front of me and then all I remember is they went off.”

Detective Constable Gary Wilson, of Derbyshire police’s serious collision investigation unit, told the court the motorbike had been travelling at between 100mph and 130mph.

Investigations failed to establish whether or not Mr Green – who was described as an experienced rider – was wearing motorbike goggles. If he was not, visibility for Mr Green may have been significantly reduced, the court heard. Goggles have since been recovered from the crash scene.

DC Wilson added: “Excessive speed was the main cause of this collision.”

PC Paul Moorcroft, also of the serious collision investigation unit, added: “The higher the speed of a motorbike, the harder it makes it to change direction.

“Mr Green may have thought the curb was further away than it was.”

Coroner James Newman recorded accidental verdicts in both deaths. He said: “These two men had their whole lives ahead of them and their deaths were untimely and unfortunate.”

After the tragedy, Daniel’s mum, Katrina, described him as a “caring and loving person and would never turn his back on anyone”. She added: “Daniel had a cheeky smile, a smile that would light up a room on the darkest days.” Jamie’s family added: “Jamie was a wonderful, happy-go-lucky young man. He was loved by everyone who knew him.”